(Unique?) conversion challenge

BrianHayesMusic · 01-01-2022, 01:12 PM

Hello,

I've already published my paperback on B&N Press with no issues. However, the file conversion required to publish the eBook version is proving to be a challenge.

Here's the situation:

I'm publishing a book of classical guitar arrangements. In other words, these are musical scores so the only text in my entire document are: 1) Contents page 2) About page and 3) Copyright page. The cover is an image so it can be converted to anything but the bulk of the content was created using a program called Finale. Finale files are musical scores (with some text) that can only be exported as a PDF, via the Adobe printer driver. Converting a PDF of this type into eBook format for Amazon Kindle was easy, since they have the Kindle Kids Book Creator available which converts my PDF into a MOBI file in the blink of an eye with perfect results.

I attempted to try my conversion from PDF to EPUB using a software called Calibre and the first attempt was a disaster. The text and covers were fine but the scores were decimated, leaving behind only a few scattered characters across the page. So I went back and saved the Finale content (all of my scores) as an image file in Adobe, thinking that having the scores saved as images might prevent the software from becoming confused by trying to convert it to text. It actually DID help since there was at least some semblance of musical scores left behind. However, they were all chopped up with portions of the scores spread out across the page, completely dismembered.

Do any of you have any suggestion on this or have you faced any other scenarios that sound anything at all like what I'm dealing with here?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Brian Hayes

theducks · 01-01-2022, 01:45 PM

PDF is a terrible format to convert FROM.
But WHY not keep this as a PDF (because of what it is)?
or
Why not do a high quality PRINT, then SCAN to a JPG and make a book of images.?

BetterRed · 01-01-2022, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianHayesMusic

. . .

Do any of you have any suggestion on this or have you faced any other scenarios that sound anything at all like what I'm dealing with here?

Not me, but others have.

Try doing a search for 'sheet music' in the ePub forum.

BR

BrianHayesMusic · 01-01-2022, 04:30 PM

Thanks BR. I actually tried that before posting here with no luck.

BrianHayesMusic · 01-01-2022, 05:13 PM

theducks,

Thank you for your reply.

My goal is to publish an eBook through B&N. Unless I'm misunderstanding you, it sounds like you may be trying to steer me way from this goal? If I understood you wrong, then I apologize. If this conversion is an impossible task, then I've learned something. If it does turn out to be impossible, this was unexpected given how easy of a process it was for Amazon Kindle.

As far as the JPEG format you mentioned, I can make that conversion using the "export to" feature in Adobe and not have to go through all of that scanning but what kind of book would I be putting together with 110 individual JPEG files? (My book is 110 pages)

Uncle Robin · 01-01-2022, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

PDF is a terrible format to convert FROM.
But WHY not keep this as a PDF (because of what it is)?
or
Why not do a high quality PRINT, then SCAN to a JPG and make a book of images.?

I'm quoting this in full because it seems like the optimal response: First, WHY, seriously WHY convert from PDF at all? Is there a compelling need or reason to do so? The nature of your book seems ideally suited to PDF.

The other suggestion, a collection of Hi-res images, would definitely seem to be the next best option, imo.

theducks · 01-01-2022, 05:34 PM

DECENT e-reader handle PDF (some offer options like pan and scan)
But your book NEEDS to show the whole bar at once if I am correct.
So it would be viewed in Landscape and scrolled/paged by bar (smaller screen.

IF they can't deal with this: GET A BETTER PUBLISHER

BrianHayesMusic · 01-01-2022, 05:56 PM

Uncle Robin,

I guess I'm seeing your point. As I stated, above, it's surprising but I learned something. To convert from PDF to MOBI is ridiculously easy with fantastic results so the question in that case is "Why not?" With the PDF to EPUB being an such impossible or nearly impossibly task, "Why?" indeed. Thank you for your response. I was apparently spoiled by KDP's ease of use.

theduck,

I am the publisher. I did everything, myself and, again, for KDP, my skill level was all that was required and the Kindle version of my book turned out fantastically. Thank you, again, for your input.

Sirtel · 01-01-2022, 06:29 PM

I took a look at the Kindle edition of your book. It's not mobi, it's a fixed-layout file, which means PDF. And as such, it's not even available on eink Kindles.

So it seems PDF is your only option, unless you can export the original in another format.

BrianHayesMusic · 01-01-2022, 07:38 PM

Thanks, Sirtel.

I'm sure you can tell how new I am at this stuff. All I know is that I had to convert it from PDF to MOBI before uploading it to KDP. If you're saying that they then convert it to some other format before publishing, this I would have no idea about. All I was saying was how incredibly easy the process was, using their Kindle Kids Book Creator to make the necessary conversion.

I'm surprised you were able to find it! We are talking about the same publication, right? Amazon Kindle?

Solo Guitar Arrangements: for the Virtuoso Classical Guitarist
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M7R5QHK...XH245TEK3TSRMB

Sirtel · 01-01-2022, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianHayesMusic

Thanks, Sirtel.

I'm sure you can tell how new I am at this stuff. All I know is that I had to convert it from PDF to MOBI before uploading it to KDP. If you're saying that they then convert it to some other format before publishing, this I would have no idea about. All I was saying was how incredibly easy the process was, using their Kindle Kids Book Creator to make the necessary conversion.

I'm surprised you were able to find it! We are talking about the same publication, right? Amazon Kindle?

Solo Guitar Arrangements: for the Virtuoso Classical Guitarist
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M7R5QHK...XH245TEK3TSRMB

Yes. What I meant is that your PDF file was never converted to MOBI. It was uploaded as PDF in the Amazon wrapping. Basically it has not been converted at all. That's why it looks fantastic.

BrianHayesMusic · 01-01-2022, 08:31 PM

Sirtel,

Wow, very strange! After I did my so-called "conversion" (something that KDP requires me to do for eBook creation) the file wound up with a "MOBI" extension, that's all I know. When you try to upload the PDF, directly, you get a warning, telling you that PDF is not the proper format. It was the Kindle reps who turned me on to the Kindle Kids Book Creator and told me I needed to use that in order to publish my Kindle. Very strange. As I said, after doing the "conversion," using the Kids Book Creator, the file does have a Mobi extension and that's what I upload.

Sirtel · 01-01-2022, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianHayesMusic

Sirtel,

Wow, very strange! After I did my so-called "conversion" (something that KDP requires me to do for eBook creation) the file wound up with a "MOBI" extension, that's all I know. When you try to upload the PDF, directly, you get a warning, telling you that PDF is not the proper format. It was the Kindle reps who turned me on to the Kindle Kids Book Creator and told me I needed to use that in order to publish my Kindle. Very strange. As I said, after doing the "conversion," using the Kids Book Creator, the file does have a Mobi extension and that's what I upload.

Well, I've never written or published a book. But from the "Look Inside" of your book, it's not a MOBI. It's PDF, as your original was. Fixed-layout, non-reflowable format. And it's only available in apps and on Fire tablets, not on eink Kindles, like Paperwhite. That's also an indicator it's PDF.

As I've no idea how the Kids Book Creator works, I can't explain the .mobi extension. But I suspect your PDF was not actually converted. Because even Amazon cannot convert a PDF to MOBI and have it look like the original. That's basically impossible.

BrianHayesMusic · 01-01-2022, 09:06 PM

Interesting. I'm going to call them. You've really got me curious about this.

davidfor · 01-01-2022, 09:38 PM

You might want to ask this question in the Workshop section of the forum. Or have the thread moved. The experts on creating and publishing ebooks are there. I'm sure one of them has done something like this before and can make suggestions.

01-01-2022, 01:12 PM	#1
BrianHayesMusic Brian Posts: 29 Karma: 184 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Orlando, FL Device: none	(Unique?) conversion challenge Hello, I've already published my paperback on B&N Press with no issues. However, the file conversion required to publish the eBook version is proving to be a challenge. Here's the situation: I'm publishing a book of classical guitar arrangements. In other words, these are musical scores so the only text in my entire document are: 1) Contents page 2) About page and 3) Copyright page. The cover is an image so it can be converted to anything but the bulk of the content was created using a program called Finale. Finale files are musical scores (with some text) that can only be exported as a PDF, via the Adobe printer driver. Converting a PDF of this type into eBook format for Amazon Kindle was easy, since they have the Kindle Kids Book Creator available which converts my PDF into a MOBI file in the blink of an eye with perfect results. I attempted to try my conversion from PDF to EPUB using a software called Calibre and the first attempt was a disaster. The text and covers were fine but the scores were decimated, leaving behind only a few scattered characters across the page. So I went back and saved the Finale content (all of my scores) as an image file in Adobe, thinking that having the scores saved as images might prevent the software from becoming confused by trying to convert it to text. It actually DID help since there was at least some semblance of musical scores left behind. However, they were all chopped up with portions of the scores spread out across the page, completely dismembered. Do any of you have any suggestion on this or have you faced any other scenarios that sound anything at all like what I'm dealing with here? Any help is greatly appreciated! Regards, Brian Hayes Last edited by BrianHayesMusic; 01-01-2022 at 01:15 PM.

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01-01-2022, 01:45 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,934 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	PDF is a terrible format to convert FROM. But WHY not keep this as a PDF (because of what it is)? or Why not do a high quality PRINT, then SCAN to a JPG and make a book of images.?

01-01-2022, 04:30 PM	#4
BrianHayesMusic Brian Posts: 29 Karma: 184 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Orlando, FL Device: none	Thanks BR. I actually tried that before posting here with no luck.

01-01-2022, 05:13 PM	#5
BrianHayesMusic Brian Posts: 29 Karma: 184 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Orlando, FL Device: none	theducks, Thank you for your reply. My goal is to publish an eBook through B&N. Unless I'm misunderstanding you, it sounds like you may be trying to steer me way from this goal? If I understood you wrong, then I apologize. If this conversion is an impossible task, then I've learned something. If it does turn out to be impossible, this was unexpected given how easy of a process it was for Amazon Kindle. As far as the JPEG format you mentioned, I can make that conversion using the "export to" feature in Adobe and not have to go through all of that scanning but what kind of book would I be putting together with 110 individual JPEG files? (My book is 110 pages)

01-01-2022, 05:34 PM	#7
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,934 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	DECENT e-reader handle PDF (some offer options like pan and scan) But your book NEEDS to show the whole bar at once if I am correct. So it would be viewed in Landscape and scrolled/paged by bar (smaller screen. IF they can't deal with this: GET A BETTER PUBLISHER

01-01-2022, 05:56 PM	#8
BrianHayesMusic Brian Posts: 29 Karma: 184 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Orlando, FL Device: none	Uncle Robin, I guess I'm seeing your point. As I stated, above, it's surprising but I learned something. To convert from PDF to MOBI is ridiculously easy with fantastic results so the question in that case is "Why not?" With the PDF to EPUB being an such impossible or nearly impossibly task, "Why?" indeed. Thank you for your response. I was apparently spoiled by KDP's ease of use. theduck, I am the publisher. I did everything, myself and, again, for KDP, my skill level was all that was required and the Kindle version of my book turned out fantastically. Thank you, again, for your input.

01-01-2022, 06:29 PM	#9
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,330 Karma: 238311259 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	I took a look at the Kindle edition of your book. It's not mobi, it's a fixed-layout file, which means PDF. And as such, it's not even available on eink Kindles. So it seems PDF is your only option, unless you can export the original in another format.

01-01-2022, 07:38 PM	#10
BrianHayesMusic Brian Posts: 29 Karma: 184 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Orlando, FL Device: none	Thanks, Sirtel. I'm sure you can tell how new I am at this stuff. All I know is that I had to convert it from PDF to MOBI before uploading it to KDP. If you're saying that they then convert it to some other format before publishing, this I would have no idea about. All I was saying was how incredibly easy the process was, using their Kindle Kids Book Creator to make the necessary conversion. I'm surprised you were able to find it! We are talking about the same publication, right? Amazon Kindle? Solo Guitar Arrangements: for the Virtuoso Classical Guitarist https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M7R5QHK...XH245TEK3TSRMB

01-01-2022, 08:31 PM	#12
BrianHayesMusic Brian Posts: 29 Karma: 184 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Orlando, FL Device: none	Sirtel, Wow, very strange! After I did my so-called "conversion" (something that KDP requires me to do for eBook creation) the file wound up with a "MOBI" extension, that's all I know. When you try to upload the PDF, directly, you get a warning, telling you that PDF is not the proper format. It was the Kindle reps who turned me on to the Kindle Kids Book Creator and told me I needed to use that in order to publish my Kindle. Very strange. As I said, after doing the "conversion," using the Kids Book Creator, the file does have a Mobi extension and that's what I upload.

01-01-2022, 09:06 PM	#14
BrianHayesMusic Brian Posts: 29 Karma: 184 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Orlando, FL Device: none	Interesting. I'm going to call them. You've really got me curious about this.

01-01-2022, 09:38 PM	#15
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	You might want to ask this question in the Workshop section of the forum. Or have the thread moved. The experts on creating and publishing ebooks are there. I'm sure one of them has done something like this before and can make suggestions.

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